Dharana

Definition

Dharana is a Sanskrit term that translates to 'concentration' or 'one-pointedness of mind'. It refers to the practice of focusing the mind on a single object, thought, or point of awareness. This ability to concentrate is crucial for deeper meditation practices and plays a significant role in enhancing mental clarity and reducing distractions, making it a foundational aspect of various meditative techniques.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Dharana is often practiced by focusing on an external object, such as a candle flame, or an internal focus, like the breath or a mantra.
2. This practice is essential in traditional yoga systems as it prepares the mind for deeper states of meditation (dhyana) and ultimately leads to samadhi.
3. By cultivating dharana, practitioners can improve their mental discipline and develop a greater sense of presence and awareness in their daily lives.
4. In mantra meditation, dharana is achieved by repeating a mantra while maintaining focus on its sound and meaning, which helps quiet the mind.
5. Struggles with maintaining concentration during dharana can highlight underlying distractions and thought patterns that may need addressing in one’s practice.

Review Questions

• How does dharana relate to the practice of mantra meditation?
  • Dharana is essential in mantra meditation as it involves concentrating on the repetition of the chosen mantra. This focused attention allows practitioners to immerse themselves fully in the sound and meaning of the mantra, helping quiet distracting thoughts. As concentration deepens through dharana, the experience of meditation can become more profound, facilitating entry into states like dhyana.
• What are some techniques to enhance dharana during meditation sessions?
  • To enhance dharana during meditation sessions, practitioners can start by selecting a specific object or mantra to focus on. Techniques such as guided visualizations, breath awareness, or using a physical focal point like a candle flame can be effective. Regular practice also helps train the mind to resist distractions, gradually improving concentration skills over time.
• Evaluate the importance of dharana in achieving advanced meditative states like samadhi.
  • Dharana plays a crucial role in reaching advanced meditative states such as samadhi because it lays the groundwork for sustained focus and deeper awareness. Without effective concentration, moving into dhyana or samadhi becomes challenging. By mastering dharana, practitioners build mental discipline that not only enhances their meditation experience but also transforms their understanding of consciousness itself, fostering profound spiritual insights.

Related terms

Dhyana: Dhyana is the practice of meditation that follows dharana, involving sustained focus and deep contemplation, often leading to a state of bliss and insight.

Samadhi: Samadhi is a higher state of consciousness that occurs when concentration (dharana) and meditation (dhyana) deepen, resulting in a profound union with the object of meditation.

Mantra: A mantra is a sacred sound or phrase repeated during meditation to aid concentration and deepen the meditative experience.